2018 Suzuki Boulevard M50 Review: City Street Marauder
Although Suzuki’s Boulevard cruiser line tends to fly under the radar, it does have eight models in its 2018 lineup. The M line is the performance line among the Boulevards, with the legendary M109R at the top, the M90 in the middle, and the M50 providing lightweight action.
The 2018 Suzuki Boulevard M50 has roots in the mid-1990s Marauder 800, though it enjoyed a significant redesign in 2010.
Many cruisers in this displacement range are a bit iffy on the freeway. With the headlight cowling, dished seat, and pulled back drag bars, the Suzuki Boulevard M50 overcomes the forward foot controls to work quite well at highway speeds.
The motor welcomes the application of revs—there’s no tach—and will take you well above the in-town freeway speed limits without protest. The seating position works, and you don’t feel like you’re hanging on to dear life as you pass the slower four-wheel bound folks.
Around town, the 2018 Suzuki Boulevard M50 acquits itself nicely. It has plenty of power for slipping its 593 pounds through traffic and away from stoplights. The five-speed transmission is well matched to the power delivery, and you never feel like you’re between ratios.
The peppy motor is non-offensive. The sound is subdued through a pair of long mufflers, while the water-cooled engine refrains from producing any odd mechanical noises. Still, there’s enough power there to have plenty of fun, without intimidating less-experienced riders who are moving up from entry-level motorcycles.
Lane splitting is an easy job with the drag bars. The useful mirrors can get in the way now and then, but their height seems to avoid most cars, SUVs, and minivans.
The non-adjustable suspension (save spring-preload on the shock) on the 2018 Suzuki Boulevard M50 is more than adequate. Although it isn’t plush, the linkage shock and inverted fork do the job of taking the edge off of the potholes and other obstacles urban roads can throw in your way. The IRC tires are fairly high profile, and they help keep jolts at bay.
It may be a city cruiser at heart, but don’t let that stop you from taking a spin out in the canyons on the M50. The handling is nicely neutral and intuitive, while the cornering clearance isn’t unduly restricting despite the 16-/15-inch wheel pairing.
[video_ad_2] We haven’t run across IRC Grand High Speed GS-23 tires before, yet they get the job done and aren’t cheap. They stick well all the way to the peg feelers touching down. If you feel the need for more (or less) expensive rubber, there are plenty of choices out there thanks to the standard sizing.
The 4.1-gallon fuel tank has an impressive range, so you can go out in the hinterlands without worrying about a gas station every 100 miles. Additionally, the seat and ergonomics work for all-day rides.
We put the cowling on the back of the seat, as it gives the M50 a much more purposeful performance appearance. However, that requires removal of the passenger seat. We only tested the M50 solo, and would probably get the more powerful M90 if we were going to ride two-up often.
All the controls work well and as expected. The front brake lever is adjustable, but the mechanical clutch lever is fixed.
I’m not a big fan of the split dash. On the triple clamps, you see the speed and fuel level, which is right in your field of view. However, you get used to looking there and forget that the turn signal indicators and neutral light are down on the tank. Don’t ask how many times an accompanying rider had to remind me to turn off my blinker.
There are a lot of Hondas and Harley-Davidsons in this displacement range—higher- and lower-priced. The 2018 Suzuki Boulevard M50 gives a rider a chance to stand out a bit from the crowd, and do it on a comfortable motorcycle that has good power, nice handling, and established reliability.
Photography by Kelly Callan
Riding Style
- Helmet: HJC IS-Cruiser
- Jacket: Joe Rocket Vintage Rocket
- Back protector: Alpinestars Nucleon
- Gloves: Tourmaster Midweight
- Jeans: Sliders 4.0
- Boots: TCX Heritage WP
2018 Suzuki Boulevard M50 Specs
ENGINE
- Type: 45-degree V-twin
- Displacement: 805cc (50 cubic inches)
- Bore x stroke: 83.0 x 74.4mm
- Compression ratio: 9.4:1
- Valve train: SOHC
- Cooling: Liquid
- Transmission: 5-speed
- Final drive: Shaft
CHASSIS
- Front suspension: Non-adjustable 41mm inverted fork
- Rear suspension: Linkage-assisted spring-preload adjustable shock
- Tires: IRC Grand High Speed GS-23
- Front tire: 130/90 x 16
- Rear tire: 170/80 x 15
- Front brake: 300mm disc
- Rear brake: Drum
- ABS: None
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
- Wheelbase: 65.2 inches
- Seat height: 27.6 inches
- Fuel capacity: 4.1 gallons
- Curb weight: 593 pounds
2018 Suzuki Boulevard M50 Color:
- Glass Sparkle Black
2018 Suzuki Boulevard M50 Price:
- $8649 MSRP
2018 Suzuki Boulevard M50 Review | Photo Gallery